Wheel chock storage apparatuses and methods of using the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to wheel chock storage apparatuses. Specifically, the present invention provides a storage apparatus for holding auto-rack railcar wheel chocks thereon when not in use within the auto-rack railcars. The wheel chock storage apparatuses of the present invention comprise a flat base sheet or plate of metal or other rigid material, having a generally rectangular or square configuration. Legs bent at roughly ninety degree angles extend from right and left sides of the base sheet or plate. A plurality of apertures or slots may be configured centrally running from top to bottom of the base sheet, and one or more well nuts extend through the apertures or slots for installing to an auto-rack sidewall. A plurality of horizontally-disposed rods may be welded to both bent legs, with each of the plurality of horizontally-disposed rods running laterally across the base sheet from the first leg to the second leg for holding front and/or rear wheel chock teeth.

I claim: 
     
       1. A wheel chock storage apparatus comprising:
 a flat base sheet made of metal having a generally rectangular or square configuration and having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge, and further having a first portion disposed at the first side edge of the flat base sheet and extending from the top edge to the bottom edge of the flat base sheet, a second portion disposed at the second side edge of the flat base sheet, and a central portion between the first portion and the second portion, the first portion, the second portion and the central portion formed from a continuous sheet of metal, 
 wherein the first portion extends roughly perpendicularly from the central portion forming a first leg and wherein the second portion extends roughly perpendicularly from the central portion forming a second leg on the first and second sides, respectively, of the flat base sheet; 
 a plurality of apertures configured centrally and running from top to bottom of the base sheet; 
 one or more connection means for connecting the base sheet to an auto-rack railcar wall; and 
 a plurality of horizontally-disposed rods welded to the first and the second legs running laterally across the base sheet from the first leg to the second leg. 
 
     
     
       2. The wheel chock storage apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a first of the plurality of horizontally-disposed rods is disposed in proximity to the top of the flat base sheet. 
     
     
       3. The wheel chock storage apparatus of  claim 2  wherein a second of the plurality of horizontally-disposed rods is disposed in proximity to the bottom of the flat base sheet. 
     
     
       4. The wheel chock storage apparatus of  claim 3  wherein a third of the plurality of horizontally-disposed rods is disposed between the first horizontally-disposed rod and a midpoint of the flat base sheet. 
     
     
       5. The wheel chock storage apparatus of  claim 3  wherein a third of the plurality of horizontally-disposed rods is disposed between the second horizontally-disposed rod and a midpoint of the flat base sheet. 
     
     
       6. The wheel chock storage apparatus of  claim 4  wherein a fourth of the plurality of horizontally-disposed rods is disposed between the second horizontally-disposed rod and a midpoint of the flat base sheet. 
     
     
       7. The wheel chock storage apparatus of  claim 5  wherein a fourth of the plurality of horizontally-disposed rods is disposed between the first horizontally-disposed rod and a midpoint of the flat base sheet. 
     
     
       8. The wheel chock storage apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first leg comprises at least one aperture, and wherein an end of one of the plurality of horizontally-disposed rods is welded within the aperture. 
     
     
       9. The wheel chock storage apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first and the second legs each further comprise a plurality of apertures and further wherein each end of the plurality of horizontally-disposed rods is welded within one of the plurality of apertures. 
     
     
       10. A system for storing auto-rack railcar wheel chocks comprising the wheel chock apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an auto-rack railcar wheel chock comprising a plurality of teeth, wherein the plurality of teeth are configured to engage at least one of the plurality of horizontally-disposed rods of the wheel chock storage apparatus. 
 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10  wherein the one or more connection means includes bolts configured to hold the wheel chock storage apparatus onto the wall of an auto-rack railcar. 
     
     
       12. A method of storing auto-rack railcar wheel chocks comprising the steps of:
 providing a wheel chock storage apparatus comprising a flat base sheet made of metal having a generally rectangular or square configuration and having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge, and further having a first portion disposed at the first side edge of the flat base sheet and extending from the top edge to the bottom edge of the flat base sheet, a second portion disposed at the second side edge of the flat base sheet extending from the top edge to the bottom edge of the flat base sheet, and a central portion between the first portion and the second portion, the first portion, the second portion and the central portion formed from a continuous sheet of metal, wherein the first portion extends roughly perpendicularly from the central portion forming a first leg and wherein the second portion extends roughly perpendicularly from the central portion forming a second leg on the first and second sides, respectively, of the flat base sheet bent at roughly ninety degree angles, a plurality of apertures configured centrally and running from top to bottom of the base sheet, one or more connection means for connecting the base sheet to an auto-rack railcar wall, and a plurality of horizontally-disposed rods welded to the first and the second legs running laterally across the base sheet from the first leg to the second leg; and 
 providing an auto-rack railcar wheel chock configured to hold a tire of an automobile immobile during transport and comprising a plurality of teeth, wherein the plurality of teeth are configured to engage at least one of the plurality of horizontally-disposed rods on the wheel chock storage apparatus; and 
 connecting the wheel chock storage apparatus to the auto-rack railcar wall; and 
 attaching the auto-rack wheel chock onto the wheel chock storage apparatus so that the teeth of the auto-rack wheel chock resiliently engage at least one of the horizontally-disposed rods of the wheel chock storage apparatus. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12  wherein a first of the plurality of horizontally-disposed rods is disposed in proximity to the top of the flat base sheet. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13  wherein a second of the plurality of horizontally-disposed rods is disposed in proximity to the bottom of the flat base sheet. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14  wherein a third of the plurality of horizontally-disposed rods is disposed between the first horizontally-disposed rod and a midpoint of the flat base sheet. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14  wherein a third of the plurality of horizontally-disposed rods is disposed between the second horizontally-disposed rod and a midpoint of the flat base sheet. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 15  wherein a fourth of the plurality of horizontally-disposed rods is disposed between the second horizontally-disposed rod and a midpoint of the flat base sheet. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17  wherein a fourth of the plurality of horizontally-disposed rods is disposed between the first horizontally-disposed rod and a midpoint of the flat base sheet. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 12  wherein the first leg comprises at least one aperture, and further wherein an end of one of the plurality of horizontally-disposed rods is welded within the aperture. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 12  wherein the legs further comprise a plurality of apertures and further wherein each end of the plurality of horizontally-disposed rods is welded within one of the plurality of apertures.